A few Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media to reports by the Telegraph that the club want to sign Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka on loan in January.
The Toon will look to offer Xhaka a route out of the Emirates Stadium should he wish to leave the Gunners but remain in the Premier League after being stripped of the captaincy, with Steve Bruce monitoring the Switzerland international’s situation.
Bruce has pinpointed improving his central midfield options as a priority area for the January window, and feels the Arsenal man will improve the quality of our squad.
Xhaka has played 144 games for the Gunners since his £35million transfer from Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, scoring 11 and assisting 17 goals across all competitions.
AC Milan are also interested in signing the 27-year-old in the winter market and are said to be the favourites for his signature, although the Magpies believe there is a chance that we could secure Xhaka’s services.
He has not featured for Arsenal since storming off the field at home to Crystal Palace last month as supporters jeered his substitution, which sparked Xhaka to cup his ears and swear at fans as they began booing his actions.
Should we try and sign Xhaka?
Yes, absolutely
He's not an upgrade
Xhaka is keen to move on from his time in North London following the recent events, which he stated came as a result of abuse directed at him on social media including threats to his family.
The 80-cap international is also aware of our interest, and is considering his options as he wishes to secure regular football to ensure he is a part of Switzerland’s Euro 2020 squad.
It is noted in the Telegraph’s report that Xhaka is an international teammate of Toon star defender Fabian Schar, and is claimed to have been told good things about the Magpies and Newcastle as a city.
Here are some of the reactions shared online to the Telegraph’s report…
Thought Bruce wanted legs and mobility in centre midfield???? @LukeEdwardsTele
The only less mobile and less agile midfielder in the PL than Shelvey is Xhaka.
A Shelvey Xhaka combo would be hilarious.
As a replacement for Shelvey he’d be an upgrade however.
— Rafa Facts (@FactsRafa) November 14, 2019
Last time we had prima donnas in the team – Duff, Owen, Viduka, Sissoko, Townsend etc – we got relegated
— The Ipswich Magpie (@IpswichMagpie) November 14, 2019
Unmotivated at a club that is in contention for Europe and challenging in cups, what would motivate him here?
…..at a club that challenges for nothing and sells players if their market value increases significantly!
Undermining the very ability to challenge.
Escape perhaps?
— Graham Watson (@GrahamW87907976) November 14, 2019
Would rather have Diame back, Xhaka might score the odd banger but he’s no better than Hayden or Longstaff. I would rather we get people in at other posistions.
— Angel???????? (@01dunnn) November 14, 2019
Agreed. I feel, on a good day, he’s a marginal upgrade on teh creative midfielders we’ve got. No upgrade at all (distinct downgrade in fact) on a ball winning midfielder. I wanted Strootman in the summer, not sure if he’s available? Proper striker most needed tho!!! #nufc
— Andrew Neill (@andrewsneill) November 14, 2019
Hopefully not…..
— Michael. (@MichaelDWass) November 14, 2019
????????????
— Dean Dodds (@doddsy1991) November 14, 2019